A shopkeeper has praised the efforts of police after they have stepped up their patrols in Hull city centre over the last two weeks.

Jay Liston, who runs health food shop J-Jay’s in Saville Street says he, along with his customers and fellow staff members, are feeling a lot safer after police have become more active in the centre to prevent anti-social and illegal behaviour.

The heightened police activity came after dozens of reports about drug-users blighting the city centre, with traders previously saying they were putting shoppers off and harming businesses.

Members of the public said they had witnessed people defecating on the street, drug-dealing in broad daylight and brawling in the middle of the city centre.

But now, Mr Liston said: “Since the police have been dealing with the drug dealing and drunken and abusive behaviour that had become the daily norm for the city centre, many of our customers have commented that they don't feel as intimidated and uncomfortable as before.

"They say that they can once again enjoy the city centre, which is good news for us and all the other shops.

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“I have seen some terrible things outside my shop, including a woman defecating across the street at 5pm, and drug dealing down the side of Saville Street.

“It’s absolutely disgusting how some people acted in broad daylight before the police got involved.